Taking the leap into large format

[JEC111]

Hello, I’m Jevon, a photographer in the UK. I’ve mainly worked with medium format until now, but I’ve recently bought a Horseman 985 with a 6×9 roll-film back and am beginning to adapt it for 4×5 use.

Most of my work is landscape-based, especially around the Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire Fens. I’m interested in the managed, working landscape: how drainage, farming, settlement and infrastructure shape the place. I also do studio still life work, mainly flowers and botanical subjects.

I’m here to learn the mechanics properly: lenses, backs, movements, focusing, handling, and the practical differences between medium format and large format. Looking forward to learning from people with more experience.

 

[Alan Clark]

Hello Jevon, and welcome. Your photographic subjects sound interesting. Do you have any photographs anywhere?

Alan

 

[JEC111]

Hello Jevon, and welcome. Your photographic subjects sound interesting. Do you have any photographs anywhere?

Alan

Thanks Alan, that's really kind of you to welcome me. I haven't actually any large format work yet, i am still short a suitable lens for my Horseman 985 and a Stearman tank to develop with, but this will take you to an intro piece i did a few months ago for my portfolio and will then link you to a broader selection of my images and writings. I would love to hear what you think of them. Once I am up and running 4x5 i intend to revisit most of these and do them ''properly''. Thanks again, do you have work i can see ?

https://jevoncarey.myportfolio.com/stuff

 

[Alan Clark]

Jevon, thank you for the link to your absolutely excellent work -writing and photographs - about the fenlands. First rate.
You say that once you are up and running with 5x4 you intend too revisit the subject and do it properly. Not sure about that. Your photographs are already excellent and say so much about the subject. You have already done them "properly". Of course, you may get something different with large format. Good luck!

Alan

 

[JEC111]

Jevon, thank you for the link to your absolutely excellent work -writing and photographs - about the fenlands. First rate.
You say that once you are up and running with 5x4 you intend too revisit the subject and do it properly. Not sure about that. Your photographs are already excellent and say so much about the subject. You have already done them "properly". Of course, you may get something different with large format. Good luck!

Alan

Thank you Alan, that's very kind of you , i am glad you enjoyed them. I moved over from digital about ten years ago and started with 135 and have gradually been craving larger and larger negatives as i have gone on! My work has become more quiet and contemplative since i moved to the Fens six years ago, I think the landscape suits that , so my method has tended to fall that way as well, and I can see the appeal of taking fewer images, with meaning, and for LF seems to suit this mentality too.